A 19th Century Burger Lands In Riyadh

Please let me write this one already because I'm kind of excited to write a restaurant feature. I'm properly armed this time around! One of the few things I got myself when I was on vacation in the Philippines is a guide book on the dining scene in Manila. It really wouldn't serve its purpose now that I'm back in Riyadh but I bought it for the hope of gleaning words and style in writing food and restaurant features. Remember when I got sick of using the word "delicious"? Hopefully, I brought with me an arsenal of new words that would describe my next gustatory experience. And here comes one now...

The first adjective that I'm going to use is one of my favorite words too: simple (I know, not the most creative of words). That's the first thing that came into my mind when I went to 19th Century Burger in Tahlia Street. You will only choose from 4 items in the menu! I usually get stumped when I go to the more fancy burger houses in Riyadh but in this joint, you only choose from four... beat that! And two of them are not even the usual burgers: one is their chicken burger and the other is their hotdog sandwich. So basically, two options only: 19th Century Burger and Country Burger. Now, that's simple.

The 19th Century Burger

I naturally went for the signature burger: the 19th Century Burger (SR 27) which has 100% certified beef with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, white onions, and their super secret 19th Century sauce. There are several add-ons that can be chosen from: bacon, egg, mushroom, more onions, more cheese (in swiss or cheddar), etc. I opted to add an egg and remove the tomato (I am not a fan of tomatoes in my burger). I have the burger sliced into two because I am a prim and proper lady who doesn't just chomp on her big, fat burger without class. Joke. Haha! Of course I attack my burger like a madman especially when hangry (angry at being hungry, haha!). I just find a half of a burger easier to handle. Anyway, so I was really excited to eat my huge burger which is good to share if you're generous and on a diet. 

Not a century old.

It's interesting to note that 19th Century, a Saudi brand, makes its patties every day from scratch. They also bake their own buns. I love food grown made in your own backyard. They're freshly-made. The beef patty is definitely heavy and thick. You'll notice that they made use of the best, high quality ingredients they can get their hands on. However, there's a lack of seasoning. My companion, who has eaten in the place when it opened, had the same observation. They seemed to have held the salt and pepper. Well, as a consolation, you have salt and pepper canisters in your table. And the small tub of sauce, which they call the 19th Century Burger sauce (now that's creative!) that gives a tangy, garlicky flavor to the burger. Don't overdose on it though so it won't overpower the beefy goodness of the patty. 

The Country Burger is not that different from the 19th Century Burger. It just has a thinner, lighter burger patty with two slices of swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, white onion, and 19th Century sauce. It's SR 25 a piece. The Chicken Burger (SR 24) has a whole chicken breast with the usual toppings while their Hotdog sandwich (SR 23) features a classic grilled beef hotdog in between a soft, sliced bun. 

Yummy starters!

All orders come with french fries, which you can switch to potato wedges or onion rings for SR 3. Now, you have to know this beforehand because you might feel offended when your starters land on your paper table mat without so much ado (after all, they say it in the mat itself that something will "land" in there). Yes, they dump the fries and onion rings in your table mat. I was amused. Of course, who needs utensils in eating finger food right? Just pick up and dump in your ketchup! 

These onion rings just landed on my table mat!

You should try their Cheesy Fries (SR 17) too! It's oozing with melted cheese (seemed commercial for me but tasty nonetheless), their sauce, bits of beef bacon, and fried onion rings. Don't worry, it comes in its own plate and doesn't get dumped on your paper mat. Haha! I love this because I am a fan of soggy, tasty fries topped with condiments. The fries retain their crispness after being doused with the sauce for a while so it's still good for those who like their fries with a bite. 

The fries took a sauce bath!

19th Century Burger offers good quality burgers that are easier on the pocket than other specialty burger stores. The restaurant is devoid of too much decoration and is swathed in browns and leather. What is it with burgers being associated with macho men and things associated with them (hello cowboys!)?! You don't think we ladies can take on a burger?! Haha! 

Okay, okay, if you're hankering for burger, try the ones that came from the 19th Century. It doesn't taste old, promise!

Super secret chos sauce!

Oh, btw, don't ask for mayonnaise. ~ Sundrenched

19th Century Burger
Tahlia Street,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
T: 920033900
W: www.19thCB.com
FB: www.facebook.com/19thCB
Twitter: @19thCB

Burgers Are Fashionable Again

With over a hundred food and restaurant features we have in the blog since 2009, it's been getting harder and harder to write one. I think I have used up all the adjectives in my arsenal of words that are associated with food. You know how many times I've used the word "delicious" in The Pink Tarha? I don't but I know I've written it many times that if I ever read it again in this entry, I'm ready to pull my hair out. Oh, did I just type delicious earlier? Is that another delicious right there? Ugh.

Anyway, let's talk about Burger Boutique now (hoping I have another word for delicious somewhere). It's one of the restaurants in Riyadh I have always wanted to try because of the great reviews. But when I finally decided to try it with my friends, the restaurant closed for renovation. It was a long wait before they opened again last October. It's now in full swing and burger is fashionable once again!

We did not find Burger Boutique immediately because despite of the changes, the sign is still not that prominent. We were even stumped with the b+f? Shouldn't it be b+b or something? (Burgers + Fries ba ito?! :P) The restaurant only opens at 6:00PM. There was a line at the door already when we arrived 10 minutes before the prayer's end amping up our anticipation. If there's a line, the wait must be worth it. Good thing, there's a vacant table available for us and it's not the most surprising thing... there's a huge wooden ball inside the restaurant that separates the first (bachelor section) and second floor (family area). The sofa sets in the middle gets the vote for the best booths. And the spotlights in each table? Hello feeling celebrity! I love the interiors! The only caveat is I couldn't see my food clearly and the dimmed place was lulling me to sleep.

Unique interiors

The starters in Burger Boutique are trending. They're pretty popular with the Foursquare crowd (yes, The Pink Tarha is in Foursquare so please catch up!) We tried the Dynamite Fries, Maple Sticky Buffalo Wings, and Shrimp Inferno. Aren't their names scary? But seriously, they're the bomb!

One of the best special fries dishes in the city.

We emptied the plate in 5 minutes... or more. ;)

The Dynamite Fries (SR 35) came in a pristine white plate and doused with a unique sauce composed of chipotle ranch, house made chili, crumbled bacon, roasted onions, and jalapeños. The sauce was tangy, the fries were soggy, the taste was addicting. We finished off the fries in record-breaking time. (I mean considering we eat slowly because we talk a lot.) 

Zoomed in; they're tiny in real life

These wings are sensational!

The Maple Sticky Buffalo Wings (SR 45) is a sight to behold. It was glistening in its red, fiery glory. However, the chicken wings were a bit too tiny. We know for a fact that Saudi Arabia's chickens aren't that skinny so we wondered where these teeny ones came from. Haha! This became my favorite though. I am a stickler for the sweet, savory, and spicy. Best eaten using your hands. 

A mountain of hay and sauce

We wish you were crunchier.

We gawked at the Shrimp Inferno (SR 55) when it arrived in our table. We didn't want to ruin this masterpiece. There was a mountain of uh... root vegetable hay (according to the menu). We couldn't find the shrimps at first but we figured out they're inside that beehive of stringy, colorful veggies. It was just okay; not worth its price. 

And then came the burgers...

What beautiful burgers!

Burger Boutique has the most expensive burgers I've tried in Riyadh. I got the Bacon Swiss at SR 40 and my friend went for the Dynamite Double Monster (aka DDM) because she likes everything hot and spicy. It's the most expensive in the Signature Burgers menu at SR 60. Their Wood Fire Burgers go over SR 100. There's the B+F Signature with a grass-fed ribeye patty at SR 110 and Wagyu Burger at SR 120. Whoah!

DDM + Bacon Swiss

What I love about these burgers are their buns. They're pillowy soft and buttery and they complement the beefy patties well. Their burger patties are made from prime natural black angus beef, freshly ground daily. It's also said to be organic, healthy, and environment-friendly (also known as the reasons why the burger is expensive). While the burgers are appetizing, they're a bit expensive for their size. You can further customize your burgers (aka zap it!) by choosing low-fat and fat-free ingredients/toppings.

One of the complaints we all had was that their claim of "spicy" is not spicy at all. Even their Firehouse Sauce is not spicy. Even the jalapenos in our burgers. Have you tried it? What do you think? Are our tongues too used to spiciness already that we couldn't taste it? Also, what's with the flat utensils? It's difficult to eat using them, especially the fork.

You're late but you're fine.

We also tried their Porcini and Roasted Chicken Ravioli (SR 60), part of their entrees. Our waiter warned us at first that we might not like it since the herb taste is overwhelming; we ordered it anyway. And waited, waited some more, waited again... we nearly canceled the pasta because it seemed like they've forgotten about it. It came after we threaten to walk out... nah kidding. It came after we bugged the waiter and he apologized for it. 

It has a light sauce but a rich-tasting ravioli. It was delectable. And the herb taste? There was little hint of it so it's a good thing to be a rebel sometimes. Don't listen to your waiters and go for the food you want!

Of course, a meal is not complete without the dessert. We tried the Chocolate Brownie Pudding (SR 50) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I liked the way they presented it better than its taste.

Gooey chocolatey!

And now, for the highlight of our night in Burger Boutique... the Apple Pie (SR 40). It was, honestly, the best apple pie I have tried in Riyadh. I know I haven't tried a lot of apple pies but seriously, this is delicious ooops exquisite. I couldn't even describe it without salivating over its memory. You have to try a slice! 

I LOVE YOU! <3

Despite the burger in its name, it's not the only food Burger Boutique offers. They have sandwiches, salads, Southern Fried Chicken, and Fillet Mignon. They also have Sliders (mini burgers). Overall, we enjoyed our time in Burger Boutique and if someone would treat us, we'll go back. For now, we leave it for you to visit. We need to refill our wallets first. ;) ~ Sundrenched

Burger Boutique

Mousa Bin Nusair Street,

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-11-2161216

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Burger-Boutique/46167317956

Twitter: @BurgerBoutique_

Instagram: @BurgerBoutique

Map:

In the heart of the city!

Directions: 

1. Take King Fahd Road. Go straight until you reach Musa Bin Nusair Street (before you reach Habib). Turn right and make a U-turn on the traffic light. Burger Boutique is in the third building (from Al Nemer) to your right. It's the building with black glass walls.

2. Take Olaya Road (towards Kingdom Center.) When you reach the traffic light near New Look, Splash, Koton, turn left. Burger Boutique is in the third building (from Al Nemer) to your right. 

Hello, Food!

What? Who? Who's missing in the blogging action? Haha! Okay, okay, please give us a break for a while here... The weather is lovely yeah? Change topic much? Haha! The cool, calm weather is related to our lack of posts, promise! Because who can write when your brain is telling you to just sleep some more? Or take longer naps during the weekends? Our brains seem to freeze and stop working for a while. I'm not making sense am I? Told you! Haha!

Because we are kind of lazy these days, we're not in the mood to go out and hunt for new restaurants too. It's a good thing I found out about Hellofood.com. It's an interesting way of ordering food online from restaurants that we've always known and from new ones that I might want to try. This solves the problem of searching for phone numbers and being stuck in traffic jams (and you know how horrible the traffic is nowadays don't you?).

Food in your doorstep.

So I went online and visited saudi.hellofood.com. I chose our street/area in the pull-down menu and looked at the list of restaurants it presented that are quite near and are willing to deliver to our place. I chose Taxi Burgers because I've only tried it once and... uhmn, who doesn't like burgers?! I proceeded in making my order by signing up and going through Taxi Burger's menu. I finalized my order and voila! It says my order has been taken and I will just have to wait for the delivery. I will pay with cash when the food gets delivered.

A few minutes after, a representative from Hellofood called me to ask about my exact address. I told him details and landmarks of our place. After that was settled, I waited. And then the rep called again to inform me that Taxi Burgers couldn't deliver because well, Taxi Burgers doesn't have a driver to deliver the food. Uh-hmn. So would I like to choose another restaurant? I thought for a while and settled for Pizza Fusion. I've eaten in Pizza Fusion for a couple of times already but haven't visited the restaurant recently. I went online again and went through the same process.

Ditching burgers for pizzas

Finally after 45 minutes, Pizza Fusion's driver called us... and he couldn't understand me because I don't speak Arabic and he doesn't speak English. I handed the phone to my dad and he was the one who instructed the driver on how to reach our place (our street and building is not hard to find). After 15 minutes, the driver still hasn't arrived so I called him but he wasn't answering. Another 5 minutes and someone called me asking where our building was. I had to direct the man in line (the driver found a person on the street who can speak both Arabic and English). I also had to go down our building and stand in front of it so the driver can see me.

After an hour and a half, we finally had our dinner of salmon pizza and Hawaiian pizza.

While there were slight problems with my first time ordering via Hellofood.com, I can say that it's still a convenient way to order food especially when you're not in the mood to go out or cook. They have a lot of restaurants in their lists offering various cuisines. Whatever you're craving for, they have a restaurant that they can recommend. Pizza? Burger? Shawarma? Kabsa? Sushi? Their call center support staff is also easy to deal with. They have a Live Chat feature in their website where you can connect with their operators immediately just in case you have questions.



Hellofood has an app available for download in the Apps store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android. Hellofood is also available in Jeddah, Dammam, Al Khobar, and Dhahran. So check it out, people! ;) ~ Sundrenched

Hellofood Riyadh
Online delivery service
T: +966-537972303
FB: https://www.facebook.com/HellofoodSaudiaArabia
Twitter: @HellofoodSA

PS. I wish the delivery drivers of restaurants any where in Riyadh can speak and understand both Arabic and English. 

Riyadh Food Discoveries

We're always on the lookout for something new in Riyadh, especially when it comes to food. FOOD. Yes, food. Haha! Looking at the gustatory landscape of Riyadh, I observed that there is a lot more left to be desired. There are so many types of cuisine that is waiting to be seen and tasted from other countries. I'm pretty sure that locals and expats alike would be grateful for some Vietnamese cuisine, Hongkong dishes, and maybe some Mediterranean and Greek. However, we can always make do with what we have for now. It's not that easy to open a restaurant in Riyadh anyway.

Here are three food discoveries over the Haj holiday...

HAMBURGINI

Are you ready to line up?

Hailed as the best burger by print magazine Destination Riyadh, Hamburgini has long been a favorite by a lot of locals. A testament to this is the looong line that's always snaking its way from the counter to the outside creating traffic on the street where it's at. They also halt the ordering way before its closing time because of the many burgers they have to create for those who ordered a lot (and we mean A LOT). My brothers have to line up for more than an hour to get their orders. 

The single burger

So what makes these burgers worth the line? First and foremost, it's just SR 9. It's small but it's really worth it. The bun is soft and buttery and the patty is beefy and savory. The tomato and lettuce are fresh and the sauce has a bit of sweet and sour mixed into it. One bun is not enough so yes, order A LOT! And go there early. They are so confident of their burgers that they only have three main items in their menu: Single, Double, and Triple (and by that they just mean the number of patties in your burger and nothing else). You can only add fries and soda. That's it.

Hamburgini

Al Muruj District

Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Thani

(in front of Othaim Market)

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

See map here.

T: +966-11-4103330

FB: www.facebook.com/HamburginiSA

Twitter: @HamburginiSA

*****

MR. DAINTY

Cafe Mr. Dainty in Avenue Mall

I am a huge fan of bubble teas in the Philippines. I have no excuse for the amount of bubble teas in various flavors that I consume when I'm in Manila so I am quite disappointed that Riyadh hasn't gotten into the bubble tea craze. I've been waiting for years! (Naks!) Enter Mr. Dainty in AlQasr Mall and Avenue Mall...

Uhmn yup, all mine!

I love their simple Assam bubble tea. It's what I always order. It has a mild sweetness and the tea flavor is not overpowering. The bubbles are chewy too. Try the chocolate flavor too. A large order (SR10 + SR2 for the bubbles) makes me so full I couldn't eat any thing else. Except if it's Mr. Dainty's delicious breads. They have an array of breads that are soft and flavorful. My favorite includes the tuna bun, custard bun, and egg&mushroom bread. The AlQasr branch delivers for a minimum of SR 100.

Mr. Dainty

Second Floor, Avenue Mall (Lulu Hypermarket)

Olaya, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

***

Food court, AlQasr Mall

Suwaidi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Timing: 12:30pm-12:00am

T: +966-11-4574116

*****

BESTBITE DONUTS

AlQasr Mall branch

There are so many donut brands in Riyadh that makes this city probably the sweetest ever. Haha! (Really?! *cough*) Or the most diabetes prone. :P Who doesn't love donuts? I love donuts but not the kind smothered with sugar or syrup. That's why BestBite is a refreshing alternative. It's so refreshing it's not an American brand! It's Chinese!

Less sugar, more flavor!

The bread is what I like in this donut. It's pillowy soft and not at all sweet. It's not covered and glazed with sweet syrup like other brands (*cough* Krispy Kreme *cough*) and not oily. The toppings and fillings give it its distinct taste. I especially like the ones with blueberry and strawberry jam surrounded with whipped cream. Classic flavors include Choco Star, Oreo, Snow White, Black Forest, Almonds, and Pop Corn Flakes. All flavors are SR 6 each. Best Bite also offers hot drinks like espresso, hot chico, tea, cappuccino, and Turkish coffee that goes well with their donut. Not for hot? Then cold drinks like Oreo, Mockha, Corn Flakes, and Mocha Oreo are available too.

BestBite Donuts

Tahlia Street, Sulaimaniah

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-11-2937307

***

Food court, AlQasr Mall

Suwaidi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-53-4468859

Top 5 To-Bes During The Haj Holiday

What will you become during this Haj holiday? Last year, The Pink Tarha gave you ideas on how to spend your "staycation" in Riyadh. This time, we give you ideas on how to spend your vacation on the great outdoors. Ehrmn in Riyadh, "great outdoors" basically mean outside your housing or flat. So find your personality in our recommendations because Riyadh (and Saudi Arabia) has a lot to offer if you only venture out. ;)

1. CULTURE VULTURE

You should have been here by now. ;)

So you're into arts, culture and heritage? The National Museum of Saudi Arabia is open this holiday so it's the perfect time to visit it and see its eight halls of interesting history and artifacts. You can also visit the museum inside the Musmak Castle near Dirah Souk. Recently, Riyadh has also seen the rise of art galleries and most of them are in the area of Oruba Road. So why not hop from one to another when you have the chance? Try Alaan Artspace which features a contemporary multi-functional art gallery, library, restaurant, and coffee shop. Lam Gallery is located outside the Al Mashreq Boutique Hotel in Oruba too. Visit it and have a sweet ending in Maya La Chocolaterie.

2. LAID-BACK LIKER

The famous fountain of King Abdullah Park via AlRiyadh.com

Like the culture vulture, you're just not into the rushing yourself into thrills. You like strolling and walking and biding your time to keep calm and relax. Well, it's a good thing that the King Abdullah Park in Malaz is now open for you and your families. It has a fountain that dances and lights up during the night to entertain you and the young ones. It also has paths that you can walk in and grassy areas where you can have a quick picnic. If you're weary of the crowd in the newly-opened park, then head to the classic Salam Park, one of the biggest parks in Riyadh. It has a pond where you can ride small boats. The Wadi Hanifa and Wadi Laban, Riyadh's longest rivers, are also home to picnic pockets where you can spend the cool mornings or nights. The areas around Prince Sultan University and King Fahd Medical City are also quick fixes to your cabin fever. Walk around the area early morning or evening when the weather is cooler.

3. ADVENTURE SEEKER

The once in a blue moon blue waters of Al Heet Cave

You're not like me. You're more of the thrill seeking Riyadhizen who ventures out into the desert in need of life's next adventure. The outskirts of Riyadh holds these places where expats go to when they want to climb sand dunes or rock mountains. I'm quite sure you've been to the Red Sand and Hidden Valley. You can rent an ATV (or are these banned already?) to explore the dunes beyond. Have you been to the Al Heet Cave? Or to the Eyes of Al-Seeh in Al-Kharj? Like I said, we expats are the mothers of tourist spots: where there is none, we find something.

4. HEIGHT JUNKIE

 Riyadh from above.

Here's a challenge for you: see Riyadh on all view decks available in the city. And that means three to our knowledge: the Skybridge in Kingdom Tower, the Globe Experience in Al-Faisaliah Tower, and the Water Tower near Batha. These are the highest places in Riyadh where you can see the city in its grandeur (wow grandeur?! hahaha!). Well sometimes, it's good to see the city from above and not from the ground, which we always see on a daily basis. And for those who have acrophobia (fear of heights), you think you can conquer it through these places? If you know any other viewing decks we haven't visited, please feel free to suggest in the comment section.

5. FUN FOODIE

Burger Box, opening soon.

And yet another challenge: try five new restaurants or food stores in Riyadh that you haven't tried. There are a lot of restaurants that have mushroomed in the city and we're all dying to try them just because. I was telling The Pink Tarha that we should venture out to the streets we haven't been paying attention too because we're more focused on the usual Tahlia Street, Takhasussi Street, and Olaya Road during the past few years. We have our sights on King Abdulaziz Road to try Just Felafel and Burger Box, Al Muruj for Hamburgini (the best burger according to Destination Riyadh's food issue), King Fahd Road for Antica Roma, and Khurais Road for Forchetta. Do you have a list of restos you want to try? The haj holiday opens up an opportunity for you to try them.

I have other "personas" in mind like be a Mall Rat where you go to malls you haven't visited, mostly the ones away the city center like Al Qasr Mall and Salam Mall. But since there are no sales yet, we don't recommend being a mall rat nowadays. You can also be the Out of Towner, the one who goes to nearby cities and towns like Al-Khobar, Dammam, Taif, Jeddah, etc. But I'm pretty sure most of you are already there. You can also mix and match your activities. It's your choice and you have a week to do what you want. Whatever you decide on, take care, have fun, and ENJOY!

EID MUBARAK! ~ Sundrenched

A Garden Barbecue Kind of Night

A couple of weeks back, a reader asked us where to go for good hotel buffets in the city. That prompted me to think, "have we ever been in a hotel to eat in their buffet?" because if not, I'll be disappointed. We've been eating out for as long as I can remember and not trying a buffet in any hotel in this city is a crime for the supposedly "guide" to Riyadh. 

Well, I have tried a few but I don't think they actually count. I remember my family and I tried the Malaysian buffet of Hilton Garden Inn during the Global Food Festival 2013. It's good but it's not available all-year round. We've also had our suhoor buffet in The Globe in Faisaliah. Obviously, that too is no longer available since it was just for a special event. So where to go for a good buffet in Riyadh?

Don't ask me. I'm not good at buffets. I know I look like I eat a lot but I swear I'm no good at buffets. First, I cannot eat a lot in one seating, even if you give me hours in there, so I cannot comment on the food that much. Second, I cannot pay that much money only to eat that little. It's called waste of money in my vocabulary. And third, I'm judgmental of hotel food. They're mostly bland and so-so. 

But, here's one buffet that surprised me. It's actually good!

Welcome to Garden Barbecue in Hotel Al Khozama in Olaya Road beside Faisaliah Tower. I've been reading a few reviews on this restaurant and they say that the food is delicious and the ambiance is nice. Now that's a good feedback so it really piqued my interest. I invited a friend with me for a post-birthday celebration. (Oh please, she's a girl! Haha!) I reserved three days in advance and like a true blue expensive restaurant, they even texted me a reservation code. 

My friend and I were a bit early because I didn't know where it was located in the hotel. I had an image in my mind that since it's a garden restaurant, it would be in a floor above the first and will be in a terrace. Silly me, I didn't think that it's called a "garden" for a reason. Turns out it's located in the lawn outside the hotel. And yes, on the ground floor.

This is their Ramadan set-up.

Here are the reasons why I like Garden Barbecue... and why this is the buffet I would suggest to anyone who's asking. 

Disclaimer: Because we're in a hotel restaurant, we are semi-formal and acting all posh and chic and conyo therefore we didn't take our selfies and food photos because it's dyahe (embarrassing). Who does that in such an expensive resto?! Nahhh kidding! Hehe. Of course we took photos! But they're a bit dark and grainy because the lighting in our area is dim.

1. The informal yet lively the setting. The restaurant is set up in a manicured lawn with wooden chairs and tables. It's not that warm; there are mists that cool the place. The open air set up prevents diners from smelling like barbecue. It's also surrounded by shrubs decorated with firefly lights for some privacy. 

A warm, nice ambiance

There's a huge screen for sports afficionados. There's no sound though so it's still good for conversations. The only gripe I have is the muddy area near the appetizer line. Other than that, I like the ambiance and place very much. It's one of those pocket spots in the city that doesn't remind you of Riyadh... until you look up and get a good view of the Faisaliah Tower.

Hey, Faisaliah! How are you tonight? :P

2. It's simple; a quality over quantity kind of buffet. The buffet section is divided into three main parts: appetizers, main course, and desserts. That doesn't sound a lot but for me, it's well-curated. And a well-curated buffet is enough. The choices and selections are great and appropriate for what they offer: a barbecue feast.

3. Delicious, freshly-cooked food. I hardly ever use this in my buffet experience so maybe you should believe me. But then again, I haven't been to a lot of buffets so my comparison is a bit limited. But still, I loved their freshly-made khubz with their hummus. I didn't get the right names for the appetizers I really liked but one has shrimps on it, another is a salad with the softest beef strips, and another one has very refreshing watermelon slices with mint. 

The appetizers <3

And the barbecue selections... my oh my! The meat and seafood are lined up on enclosed trays. Beside them are the master grillers. You can choose any thing you want and they will grill them for you. Right on the spot. In which way you like. Sit back and relax for a while until they deliver your order to our table! 

Our grilled meats

The key to enjoying this buffet is to not be takaw-mata. In English, takaw-mata roughly translates to "Wee, that looks delicious, I'll have that! And that too! Oh, and that too! They all look delicious! I'll have every thing!!!" The choices are all enticing so you'd be compelled to choose a lot. There are seafood (salmon, shrimps, octopus, etc.), steaks (sirloin and T-bone), sausages, chicken kebabs, and lamb burgers. My companion and I wanted to try all (because yes, you can select all) but in the end, here are the items that I really, really liked: T-Bone steak (so tender and tasty), lamb burger (juicy), and grilled mussels (so fresh and sweet). I'm so full from all that so I might have ignored the side dishes ergo I can't comment on those.

The desserts are also good. They have the usual sweet mini cakes and bread pudding. I really liked the ice cream that I had to momentarily forget that I was suffering from cough that week. Maybe it is the reason why I still have cough now but it's quite good, especially with the crispy flakes and chocolate syrup I smothered it with. 

4. Great service. The staff are all nice and attentive. And the one who took our orders for our main courses didn't bat an eyelash when we rattled off the meats we want to have them grilled. He could've said "Really?! That's only for the two of you?!" But he didn't! He even said we can order any thing we want! Wooot! Snaps for him. Our waiter also offered us free coffee and tea at the end of our meal. 

Enjoy a night outdoors!

We were so full! But it was a delightful kind of full! I love this garden barbecue concept!

The Garden Barbecue buffet is priced at SR 195 per person exclusive of drinks. Dinner buffet starts from 7:30pm to 11:30pm. This buffet is worth it. Garden Barbecue Restaurant is truly an oasis in the city! ~ Sundrenched

Garden Barbecue Restaurant

Hotel Al Khozama

Olaya Road, Riyadh, KSA

T: +966-11-2732222

F: +966-11-4648576

E: alkhozama@rosewoodhotels.com

FB: www.facebook.com/hotelalkhozama

Twitter: @al_khozama